Introduction to Psychology

1. What is psychology? (Definitions)

2. Why it is scientific?
3. Goals of psychology
4. Applications of psychology with special reference to Pakistan

What is Psychology?

o According to McDougal “Psychology is a science which aims to give us

better understandings and control of the behavior of the organisms as a
whole”
o According to John B. Watson “ Psychology is the science of behavior”
o According to American Psychological Association (APA) “The scientific study
of the behavior of individuals and their mental processes”

PSYCHOLOGY
Behavior

Outward or overt actions and reactions E.g.,

Talking, facial expressions and movement
etc

Why it is scientific?

1. They use scientific method to study.

i.e., to study the behavior and mental processes in both animals and
humans, researches have to observe them.
2. To eliminate the biases (Biases are personal beliefs based only on belief
rather than facts)
e.g., Musicians have long hairs (personal belief), so it is our mind set that a
person having long hairs will be a musician.

Goals of psychology

There are four goals of psychology

 o Description: What is happening?
o Explanation: Why is it happening?
o Prediction: When will it happen again?
o Control: How it can be changed?

(Example + explanation=Noted lecture)

Applications of psychology with special reference to Pakistan

Psychology is one of the popular subjects among students but is struggling for its
due recognition. Let’s have a view how it emerged in Pakistan and what is its
current status:

1. Education and teaching: Psychology as an independent subject was

introduced in 1960,s at Government College, Lahore (Now GC University,
Lahore) and Karachi University. Earlier it was taught as a philosophy
subject.
Now it’s established departments of psychology are in every big city such as
Islamabad, Karachi, Faisalabad, Bahawalpur, Peshawar etc. Almost all
universities offer post graduate and most of them offer M.phil and PhD
degree as well.
Psychology is also taught as compulsory subject in many professional
courses and as minor or elective subject in many other disciplines like
Human relations, Business management, Law, home economics, Special
education and in all programs related to teacher’s training of each level.

At intermediate and degree level it is considered as hot favorite subject among

female students. So teaching psychology is its vast application.

2. Civil Services Selection Board: Selection boards hires professional

psychologists for their selection program, which includes application of
psychology tests, situational and observational and interview technique for
their screening.
 Psychological assessment is considered as a necessary step. Final selection
is based on interview, psychological report and the candidate’s
performance on the written competitive scholastic examination.
Same method is used in provincial and judicial civil services. So,
psychologists have a bright scope in civil services selection board.
3. Army Selection centers: In armed forces psychological assessment is
considered vital.
Candidates have to appear before selection committee, and psychologists
are also among the members of that team.
Psychologists design behavioral situational tests for them. Projective
techniques, observational techniques with interview method are applied
for the selection of candidates.
4. Hospitals and clinics: The formal training of clinical psychology as a
specialization started at Punjab University in 1983 and in Karachi University
in 1984. It is known as post master’s training program for clinical
psychologist. Now many of the universities have introduced not only the
diploma and degree program in clinical psychology but MS and doctoral
degree program also. Most of the clinical psychologists and
psychotherapists are practicing in clinics and in hospitals.
According to mental health ordinance, Federal mental health authority has
established psychiatric units in major hospitals.
So, clinical psychologists have a vast field in clinics, hospitals and in private
and public sectors.
Another major utility of psychotherapists is in the treatment centers of
drug addicts. Drug eradication force has been formed by government and
psychotherapists are joining it.
5. Rehabilitation center: Many rehabilitation centers have been established
for mentally retarded and physically handicapped. Psychologists are
employed there as therapist instructors, teachers and as executives. Some
psychologists voluntarily work on such centers also.
6. Non-Government organizations: Psychologists have formed their own
organizations for social welfare, guidance and counseling of people. Role of
NGO was quite prominent during the national disasters: the earth quake of
 2005 and the flood of 2010. These NGO’s run many schools, rehabilitation
centers, drug eradication centers and they launch many social awareness
programs as well. Psychologists and social workers render their services for
such organizations.
7. Research: In 1976, the federal education ministry established a “National
Institute of Psychology” (NIP) as an autonomous organization for research
purpose.
In 1994, NIP was renamed as “Center of excellence Dr. Muhammad Ajmal
Institute of psychology” after its founder.
Research, translation of tests, standardization and formulation of norms of
foreign tests were the main goals of this institute. Still it is producing tests
for local use and many psychologists are working there.

To sum up teaching psychology in colleges and universities is the major

application but psychologists are employed in other areas as well.